Health & Care
Adult Accident Insurance
do you need accident insurance
Accident Insurance: Necessity and Benefits for Your Financial Security 2025
An accident can change your life in an instant and bring significant financial burdens. Find out if and when a personal accident insurance is essential for you and how you can best protect yourself.
The topic in brief and concise terms
The statutory accident insurance (GUV) only covers work, school, and commuting accidents; a private accident insurance (PUV) is necessary for most leisure accidents.
A personal accident insurance is especially important for self-employed individuals, housewives/househusbands, retirees, and children, and also serves as a supplement if no occupational disability insurance is in place.
Important components of a personal accident insurance policy include a high disability sum with progression (at least 350 percent recommended), a good limb schedule, and meaningful additional benefits.
Fundamental Insurance: Understanding Statutory versus Private
The statutory accident insurance (GUV) primarily covers workplace accidents and commuting accidents for employees and trainees. It also covers accidents involving children in kindergartens and schools, as well as students at universities. However, over two-thirds of all accidents occur during leisure time, where the GUV often does not provide coverage. This is where private accident insurance (PUV) fills an important gap and covers the financial consequences. A PUV can also provide additional benefits if you become disabled as a result of a workplace accident. This fundamental distinction is crucial for your financial planning.
Identifying risk groups: Who particularly benefits from a PUV?
For self-employed individuals and freelancers, a private accident insurance is often essential, as they generally do not enjoy statutory protection. Homemakers and retirees should also consider a private accident insurance, as their coverage gaps are significant. For children, a special accident insurance for children can be sensible, as the statutory accident insurance only covers around 26 percent of accidents involving children. People with dangerous hobbies, such as extreme sports enthusiasts, carry a considerably high accident risk, often more than 15 percent per year. If a disability insurance cannot be obtained, a private accident insurance offers an important alternative for securing the financial consequences of a disability. The analysis of your personal situation highlights the individual need.
Analyse of service spectrum: What exactly does private accident insurance pay for?
The central benefit of private accident insurance is the disability benefit, a one-off payment for permanent accident-related consequences. The amount of this payment depends on the agreed insurance sum and progression. A progression of, for example, 350 percent can increase the benefit for total disability to 3.5 times the base sum. The following table illustrates this:
For 20 percent disability: 20 percent of the base sum (with 350 percent progression)
For 50 percent disability: 100 percent of the base sum (with 350 percent progression)
For 100 percent disability: 350 percent of the base sum (with 350 percent progression)
The dismemberment schedule determines the degree of disability for individual body parts; for example, the loss of an arm can be assessed at 70 percent. Good policies often offer an improved dismemberment schedule that sets higher degrees of disability. Additional benefits such as an accident pension from 50 percent disability, death benefits or daily hospital allowance can extend the coverage. Rescue costs up to 10,000 euros are also often included. These components allow for tailored protection.
Understanding Cost Factors: Accurately Assessing Contributions to Occupational Accident Insurance
The cost of private accident insurance varies greatly and depends on several factors. Your age and occupation play a part; occupations with higher risks often lead to higher premiums. Dangerous hobbies can also increase the premium by up to 25 percent. The chosen insurance sum, for example, 100,000 euros, and the progression, around 225 percent, are significant cost drivers. Some insurers waive health questions, simplifying the process, but this may be more expensive. Basic coverage for children is often available for less than ten euros a month. An accurate comparison of different offers is therefore essential.
Check contract details: Keep an eye on clauses and exclusions
The devil is often in the details of insurance terms and conditions. An accident is typically defined as a sudden, involuntary event impacting the body from the outside. Pay attention to the inclusion of internal movements, such as a ligament tear during sports without external influence. The alcohol clause regulates benefits for accidents under the influence of alcohol; good policies also provide coverage at higher alcohol levels. The involvement of pre-existing conditions can lead to benefit reductions if they have contributed to the damage by at least 25 percent. Deadlines are also important: claims often need to be medically confirmed and made within 15 to 18 months. Our expert tip: Choose policies with a high progression of at least 350 percent and a schedule of benefits that offers market-standard or better values. A careful review before signing up saves you from nasty surprises.
Make use of tax aspects: Claim contributions to accident insurance
Contributions to private accident insurance can be claimed for tax purposes under certain conditions. They are considered other pension expenses and are recorded in the pension expenses section of the tax return (lines 46-50). For employees and civil servants, there is a maximum amount for pension expenses of 1,900 euros annually, and for self-employed individuals, 2,800 euros. This maximum amount is often already depleted by health and long-term care insurance contributions. If the contract covers occupational risks, contributions can be partially deducted as work-related expenses (employees) or business expenses (self-employed individuals). The disability benefit from private accident insurance is generally tax-free. However, an accident pension must be taxed on the profit portion. Our expert tip: Keep proof of contributions for at least ten years, as the tax office may request them. A thorough examination of your tax situation can be worthwhile.
Jurisprudence in Focus: Current Judgments and Their Impact
The case law on accident insurance is constantly evolving and often has a direct impact on policyholders. Courts, for example, rule on the interpretation of the term accident, such as in cases of injuries caused by self-induced movements or psychological consequences of accidents. A ruling by the Dresden Higher Regional Court clarified that the date of the expiry of the disability period is decisive for the initial assessment of the disability. The Hamm Higher Regional Court ruled on the assessment of the degree of disability in cases of multiple injuries to a body part. The Federal Court of Justice (BGH) has ruled that medical treatment for the claim to a daily allowance also includes prescribed measures, not just the doctor's visits themselves. Our expert tip: In cases of uncertainty or disputes with the insurer, consulting a lawyer specialized in insurance law can be worthwhile, as they know the current legal situation. Stay informed to effectively assert your claims.
Request an individual risk analysis now: Have your insurance situation reviewed free of charge and receive concrete optimisation suggestions.
More useful links
DGUV provides a comprehensive overview of statutory accident insurance in Germany.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs offers fundamental information on statutory accident insurance.
The DGUV publishes up-to-date figures and facts on statutory accident insurance.
The association Die Versicherer provides information on relevant aspects of accident insurance.
The Consumer Centre offers an assessment of the advisability of private accident insurance.
The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAUA) provides important figures, data, and facts on occupational safety.
The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs provides detailed statistics on statutory accident insurance.
Gesetze im Internet offers the full text of the Seventh Book of the Social Code (SGB VII), which governs statutory accident insurance.
FAQ
Do I need accident insurance despite having disability insurance?
Accident insurance can also be sensible alongside disability insurance (DI). The DI provides a pension in the event of disability due to illness or accident. Accident insurance pays a lump sum in the event of disability caused by an accident, regardless of professional capability. It can help cover one-time costs (e.g. modifications to your home).
What is meant by the scheduled loss clause?
The scheduled loss clause is a table in the insurance contract that defines which degree of disability (in percentage) is recognised for loss or total dysfunction of certain body parts or sense organs. For example, the loss of an arm might be valued at 70 percent.
What does progression mean in accident insurance?
Progression means that the insurance benefit increases disproportionately for severe disability grades. With a progression of 350 percent, you receive 3.5 times the agreed basic insurance sum in the event of full disability (100 percent disability grade).
Are contributions to accident insurance tax-deductible?
Yes, contributions to private accident insurance can be declared as other pension expenses in the tax return, up to the legal limits (1,900 Euros for employees, 2,800 Euros for self-employed individuals). However, these limits are often already maximised by health and nursing care insurance contributions.
Does the accident insurance also cover abroad?
A private accident insurance usually offers worldwide protection, around the clock. This applies to accidents both domestically and abroad, provided it is not otherwise specified in the contract.
What deadlines must I observe after an accident?
After an accident, you usually need to have your claims for disability benefits medically confirmed and submitted to the insurer within a specific period (often 15 to 18 months). The exact deadlines are stipulated in your insurance contract.
